Kabul, Oct 18: In response to the tragic incident that killed three Afghan cricketers, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

According to reports, the three cricketers — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — were reportedly returning from a friendly match in Sharana when they were caught in the attack.

"In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon), alongside five other fellow countrymen from Urgun District, were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering," the ACB said in a statement.

"The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province," it added.

The ACB also announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled for late November, as a mark of respect for the victims.

"In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan," it said.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's T20 team captain, Rashid Khan, also expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a “grave violation of human rights” and fully backing the ACB’s decision to withdraw.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan -- a tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage," he wrote on X.

Also read: Pak Airstrike: Three Afghan Cricketers Among 8 Dead

Calling the attacks "immoral and barbaric", Khan said such "unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed."

"In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB's decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time. Our national dignity must come before all else," he added.

Pakistan carried out multiple airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province on Friday.